The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-19

sN~~~ ~.-N~ ASSAANAs>S~t
than $1,000 has been stolen from the prisoners
on this account alone. Another convict who has
been swindled out of q large sum of
money was placed on the witness
stand by the committee yesterday.
This was Ignatius Buchanan, simple minded
fellow who has served twenty-one years of a life
time sentences. He had to his credit on the
books of the prison the sum Of So, 700 in cash,
and jewelry to the amount of 500 more. Of
this nothing is left, every cent of the money and
articles having been appropriated.
More rottenness is found in the commissary
Allen has charge. Howard never has, as the
law requires. advertised for bids to furnish
supplies to the prison, but all have
been purchased from retail dealers
at fabulous prices for poor articles and small
quantities. The food given to convicts is Of the
poorest kind and of insufficient quantity, barely
enough to keep body and soul together In the
summer the meat was putrid flesh, and the
beans and hominy were rat and worm eaten
All this stuff was of course, charged to the gen
eral fund at regular retail prices, and a member
of the committee stated to the reporter that it
could be proven that the dealer and the officials
of the prison made divide of the profits
on the sales. In this way it is estimated that
I, he.v ~. 49, Ok.<o
To wellkaawn Democrat of Jeffersonville,
who will go before the committee tomorrow,
Captain Allen the steward, confessed the crook
edness existing in his department. and
stated that he was ruined man. both in fortune
and reputation. His only hope is to put up q
sufficient amount of property to cover as much
of the steal as possible, and to save himselffrom
going to prison.
The Journal reporter had interviews with
every member Of the committee, ard it was
learned that Howard, the board Of directors
and the steward, and perhaps other officials of
the prison. could be convicted of felonies or
misdemeanors which would subject them to
very severe punishment Howard can be sent
up for al lifetime almost, if prosecuted under
every charge. Said member of the commit
tee "His has been the most rotten admins
tration CT affairs ever heard Of and he deserves
the severest punishment
Warden Howard was approached and ques-
toned by gentleman who asked him OF tine
conditions Of affairs.
81 would rot care snap" replied the Warden.
''for the whole thing, if they had not taken my
books away and placed an expert upon them. y
His further conversation was Of bitter tone.
Iis raved Ae COMMITTEES. at what he termed
his luck, and loudly cursed everyone and every
| thing connected with the prison and the investi
CATION.
His friends had careful watch placed over
him tonight, fearing that in his frame Of mind
| he would attempt his own life. Howard's wife,
very estimable lady. is utterly prostrated by
the charges brought against her husband.
and is lying in. critical condition,
unoer tue care OF physicians nov
ard is almost demented. and his
condition is indeed pitiful one He attracts
the sympathy of every member Of the com nit
tee on account of his family, he being the father
of three bright little children who are jus,
large enough to feel keenly the disgrace brought
upon them.
The State will lose every cent by the steal
ings, AS the board of directors took no bond
from the warden, he standing on his honor fol
the conduct of the institution.
Herculean efforts are being made to corrupt
the committee by friends of Howard, and almost
any sum Of money could be raised to buy them
up. Nearly one hundred witnesses are yet to bt
examined by the committee, and in the mean
time the warden and others concerned in thu
steal are being closely watched. and their arres
is liable to be ordered at any moment
Warden Howard was appointed in 1875 ant
this is the first time that legislative committe,
was ever induced to make genuine investi
CATION.
PRIMITIVE ELDER BROWN.
BlasphemOus Baptist Who Says He Went t
School and Played Marbles with Jesus.
TN mn